Siding-spacing gage



(No Model.) A

J. A. RATGLIFF. SIDING SPACING GAGE.

Patented Aug. 4 1896.

UNITED 4STATES PATENT OFFICE.,

JOHN A. RATOLIFF, OF COLUMBUS, KANSAS.

SlDlNG-SPACING GAGE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 565,299, dated August 4, 1896.

Application filed December 4, 1895. Serial No. 571,066. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that l, JOHN A. RATCLIEF, a citizen of the United States, residing at Columbus, in the county of Cherokee and State of Kansas, have invented a new Siding-Spacing Gage for the use of house-carpentering in putting on siding by spacing and holding the siding While fitting and nailing it on, of which the following is a specification.

The ordinary method of putting siding on a building is to space the distance it is to be laid to the weather with a pair of compasses or dividers, and driving a nail at each end of the siding which has been put on at a point which is to show the number of inches the siding is to be laid, and upon these nails the siding to be fastened on rests While the ends are marked preparatory to its being fitted to the building. This gage upon which I desire to secure Letters Patent takes the place of this common way of spacing with the compass and driving a nail upon which the siding is to rest. By the use of two of these gages, one at each end of the siding, it is firmly held in place and quickly adjusted, and enables the carpenter to put on siding or clapboard much more satisfactorily and rapidly than by any other means or by the use of spacing with a compass and driving nails to support the siding or clapboard during the time it is being prepared to be put on in the customary manner. It also obviates the splitting of the siding or clapboard at the end by driving nails therein to support the lining of each clapboard before it is nailed onto the building in place, as these gag/es are easily and quickly adjusted and do not puncture or mar the siding in any appreciable degree. I reach these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings', in Which-- Figure l is the entire machine as it will appear in actual operation. Fig. 2 represents the spacing-bar, the block that holds the awl, the lip which is to turn under the siding `which has been nailed on. This holds the gage firm against the siding or building. Fig. 3 represents a vertical section of the invention, giving a detailed view in the perspective in half of each component part of the machine.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

A A represent the spacing-bar.

a a at the top of the spacing-bar represent the flange on which the bottom of the siding to be fastened rests.

b b represent the hole in the top of the spacing-bar, into which a small awl may be inserted and pushed into the siding, which with the block B B and `the screw C O holds the gage very firm. Usually, however, it is not necessary to use the awl in this hole.

F F represents the inches on the spacingbar, and the marks between the same lthe fractional parts of an inch, so that the siding may be gaged or laid to the weather any desired distance in inches or aliquot part thereof. Y

O C at the foot or base of the spacing-bar represent a screw which is intended to rest against the siding next to the last one nailed on, and is to be regulated according to the thickness of the clapboard or siding to be put on, and to aid in holding the gage firmly in position.

D represents the curve or bend at the lower end of the spacing-bar, equal in curve to the thickness of the block B B.

B B represent the block which fits under the lower edge of the last siding which has been nailed on, thereby holding the gage very firmly in place.

O represents the awl complete, consisting of the awl proper, the flange, the screw, and the handle.

E represents the screw through the clamp vwhich holds the spacing-bar in place.

F represents the clamp firmly fastened to the siding-block holding the spacing-bar in position.

G represents the screw in the right-hand corner of the block intended to be regulated by the thickness of the siding to be put on and steadying the gage in position.

L represents the point of the awl which is to hold the gage to the siding.

H, the spring on theawl between the handle and the block, is to allow the lip I to reach under the edge of the siding and press it firmly against the same.

I represents the lip which is to go under the edge of the siding which has already been fastened and is intended to hold the gage in firm and proper position in aid of the awl whichis pushed into the siding under the lower edge of the last siding-board which has been nailed on.

J represents the screw which holds the awl in position in its handle.

K K K represent the siding which has been and is to be fastened to the building.

In adjusting this gage to the building preparatory to the fastening of the clapboard the block B B is to be placed immediately under the siding which has been last nailed with the lip I turned down. The point of the awl is then pushed into the siding or studding until the lip reaches the inner portion of the siding fastened, when the handle is to be turned half-way around, which brings the lip I up under the siding which has been fastened,

justable on said bar and provided with an awl and a clamping-screw.

2. A weatherboard gage provided with a bar and a block adjustable thereon, in coinbination with an aWl extending through said block and provided with a flange axially revoluble and adjacent the inner surface of the block.

JOHN A. RATCLIFF. Viitnesses:

Gno. E. Bruns, G. W. BELT. 

